What are the Differences Among a Home Health Agency, a Nurse Registry and a Homemaker and Companion Services Provider in Florida?

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

There are important distinctions in the licensure requirements, the insurance requirements and the types of services that can be provided by home health agencies, nurse registries and homemaker and companion organizations in Florida. The owners and operators of such businesses must should be aware of these. Diligence must be taken to ensure that employees of one type of provider do not deliver services to clients/patients that are not authorized by the company's license.

When applying for a license for any of these types of organizations, care must be taken to list all of the services that the organization will actually be delivering.

Home Health Agencies

Home Health Agencies (HHAs) are generally able to provide hands-on services to clients/patients. Among the services they may provide are:

HomemakerCompanionHome Health AideCertified Nursing Assistant (CNA)(Note: Some home health agencies only provide the above services.)Nursing (LPN, RN)Therapy: Physical (PT), Speech (ST), Occupational (OT)Home Medical EquipmentSocial WorkDietetics & Nutrition(Therapy, social work, dietetics & nutrition are generally not provided by licensed only HHAs, except for those that are in the process of getting certified for Medicare or Medicaid.)

Home Health Agencies are licensed and authorized pursuant to Chapter 400, Part III (Section 400.461), Florida Statutes, and Chapter 408, Part II, Florida Statutes, and are regulated pursuant to Chapter 59A-8, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). The new licensing rules for them are located at Chapter 59A-35, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

Nurse Registries

Nurse Registries generally act as the intermediaries in locating and obtaining contracts between clients/patients and health providers such as nurses. Nurse Registries only have independent contractors.

Among the services that may be provided by the independent contractors of a Nurse Registry are:

Nurse Registries are licensed and authorized pursuant to Chapter 400, Part III (Section 400.461), Florida Statutes, and Chapter 408, Part II, Florida Statutes, and are regulated pursuant to Chapter 59A-18, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). The new licensing rules for them are located at Chapter 59A-35, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

Homemaker and Companion Services Organizations

A Homemaker and Companion Services Organization may not provide any hands-on personal care or treatment of a client. For example, its employees may not bathe the client, changes bandages, or provide any hands on medical or nursing treatments.

Among the services they are authorized to provide are:

Homemaker ServicesCompanion Services

Homemaker and Companion Services Organization are licensed and authorized pursuant to Chapter 400, Part III (Section 400.461), Florida Statutes, and Chapter 408, Part II, Florida Statutes, and are regulated pursuant to Chapter 59A-8, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). (specifically 59A-8.025), F.A.C. The new licensing rules for them are located at Chapter 59A-35, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

All of the foregoing are licensed and regulated by the Home Care Unit of the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) in Tallahassee. It can be located at: